AWD or RWD? (split from new member question)

[eflyguy]

A lot of people don't get that.

Hanging with my daughter at the drag strip this weekend, she was relating a story about an unusual fishtailing experience in her 'vette, and was of the opinion it was due to it being one of the first years TC/ESC was on it, and so "glitchy".. She had just been thru a car wash with a pretty good wheel wash and shine, and I know from personal experience how that affects the brakes for a while.

Any TC/ESC system that uses the brakes will become wildly unreliable if the brake system has been compromised. You could almost see the light bulb appear over her head...

 

[MisterMac]

For those asserting a drawback with AWD Stingers is decreased fuel economy. FWIW, over the last 6,242 miles I've averaged 22.9 mpg at an average speed of 41 mph. On a 215 mile trip at 80 mph and fully loaded I scored 33.4 mpg. I haven't seen any RWD actuals to compare to...Can anyone provide real world comparisons?

 

[Helo58]

I am not entirely sure that comparing mileage between the two is straightforward. Drivers who choose AWD systems may tend to be more "safety" conscious and risk averse than those who choose RWD. If this is actually the case, it is reasonable to think that driving styles would differ between the two demographics. The difference in driving styles may influence observed mileage as a result.

In any event, I would be interested to see a poll, if possible. @MisterMac , those are great numbers. Are you intentionally shooting for great mileage or do you drive it like you stole it? Personally, my rears tires are set to expire well before my fronts do. I'll probably replace them at a rate of 2 fronts to 1 rear...

 

[MisterMac]

I am not entirely sure that comparing mileage between the two is straightforward. Drivers who choose AWD systems may tend to be more "safety" conscious and risk averse than those who choose RWD. If this is actually the case, it is reasonable to think that driving styles would differ between the two demographics. The difference in driving styles may influence observed mileage as a result.

In any event, I would be interested to see a poll, if possible. @MisterMac , those are great numbers. Are you intentionally shooting for great mileage or do you drive it like you stole it? Personally, my rears tires are set to expire well before my fronts do. I'll probably replace them at a rate of 2 fronts to 1 rear...

I am consistently driving it like I'm stealing it.

 

[Helo58]

I consistently driving it like I'm stealing it.

 

[TimS]

It will probably be an Australian caravanner who sold his "ute" to be able to buy a Stinger.

BTW, thanks for the debate. No hard feelings mate! I just happen to be one of those odd birds that enjoys debate, even if I lose. I think it is one of the ways I learn stuff. For what its worth, when I was looking to buy my Stinger, I had settled on an AWD GT1 in ceramic silver. When I went to buy it, the dealer had taken the car for the weekend and racked up over 600 miles on it. I passed on it. Ended up with my RWD Stinger GT in ceramic silver. I think I would have been extremely happy either way. I love this car! I hope that you are enjoying yours as well.

No had feelings at all, Helo. I love seeing the passion you brought to the debate, and actually learned a lot from the things you shared, believe it or not.

Ceramic Silver was tied at the top with the Micro Blue I ended up buying, coincidentally. Fortunately (or unfortunately), there wasn't a Ceramic Silver GT2 that I could find in my region, or the choice would have been incredibly difficult!

-Tim

 

[Roarbomb]

For those asserting a drawback with AWD Stingers is decreased fuel economy. FWIW, over the last 6,242 miles I've averaged 22.9 mpg at an average speed of 41 mph. On a 215 mile trip at 80 mph and fully loaded I scored 33.4 mpg. I haven't seen any RWD actuals to compare to...Can anyone provide real world comparisons?

I dont know how your getting so high. My GT2 AWD has 23.0 mpg in the last 5800 miles, however on road trips at 80 I'm averaging maybe 24-25mpg. When i "drive it like i stole it" ill get 19-22 mpg.

Perhaps its garbage 91 oct "Premium" gas we have, perhaps its air density at 3202 ft elevation, but id LOVE to average even close to 30 on road trips, It would make driving to Dallas a 1 tank affair.

 

[eflyguy]

I got 27 on my drive home from the dealer (nearly two tanks, 560 miles) thru a variety of terrain including a lot of mountainous freeway passes.

Nowhere near as high as MM but I do track my fuel usage (fuelly) - will make an effort to reset the trip info tomorrow when I visit a customer a couple of hours away - pretty much flat-land cruising.

 

[Helo58]

No had feelings at all, Helo. I love seeing the passion you brought to the debate, and actually learned a lot from the things you shared, believe it or not.

Ceramic Silver was tied at the top with the Micro Blue I ended up buying, coincidentally. Fortunately (or unfortunately), there wasn't a Ceramic Silver GT2 that I could find in my region, or the choice would have been incredibly difficult!

-Tim

Glad to hear it. Thanks again Tim.

 

[MisterMac]

I dont know how your getting so high. My GT2 AWD has 23.0 mpg in the last 5800 miles, however on road trips at 80 I'm averaging maybe 24-25mpg. When i "drive it like i stole it" ill get 19-22 mpg.

Perhaps its garbage 91 oct "Premium" gas we have, perhaps its air density at 3202 ft elevation, but id LOVE to average even close to 30 on road trips, It would make driving to Dallas a 1 tank affair.

It could be my tune, but it's so hard to tell. My elevations are higher. This was my drive into work this morning.

 

[Brandondrums]

Fuel economy on a high compression turbo engine will vary a bit more state to state as elevation and ethanol content in gas vary....also as octane varies between 91 and 93 causing the ECU to correct with different ignition timing.

I'm new here, hoping to get an AWD stinger. This thread has been a fun read.

 

[St1nger Guy]

I have an AWD GT2 with most of the bolt on's and JB4. FMIC and WMI are my last 2 big ones to finish it out. I will say this about having AWD, spinning aint winning and it's not a problem I have. Off the line I can pretty much smoke any RWD vehicle due to the extra grip. 0-60 in 4 seconds? Yes please. Tork motorsports is tuning an AWD Stinger and his fastest 1/4 time is 11.06 and a 0-60 under 4 seconds. This will be a 10 second car with his tune very soon. I put aggressive snows on it in the winter and I can pretty much drive it through anything. I will say, do not ever try to drive in the winter with summer tires even on the AWD unless you only like to go straight. I couldn't turn on just a dusting of snow on the road at 10 mph, it was crazy sketch.